birth control
The control and propagation of a genetic disease.

Isely DC.

Preventive health is an appealing method to better our quality of life. However, in the practice of preventive health, its probabilistic nature and the time lag for results lessen its appeal. The specter of genetic diseases also has a probabilistic nature but has a time lag that spans generations. Thus any preventive health effort for genetic diseases should be studied so the results can be predicted in advance. A number of mathematical genetic problems have been solved that include mutation and phenotype selection factors. This paper takes a large human population that has birth and death frequencies that vary with age and that operates under Mendelian genetics. Hypothetical mutation and backmutation rates are put into this population; this results in an adverse effect on the death rate for those individuals born with homogenously mutated genes. This is called a genetic defect. The mutated genes are carried in the gametes of individuals who are born with the genetic defect and those who are exposed to the mutation rates; their manifestation is an increased probability of producing method gametes for reproduction. The preventive health control effort is birth control after genetic counseling. Various combinations of birth control selection effectiveness are tried on the different genotypes. It is found that a high selection factor for homogenously mutated genotypes gives the best result for reducing excess deaths caused by the genetic defect, and that a selection factor for heterozygous genotypes is a counterproductive effort. This model, employing a set of difference equations, may be used to evaluate preventive health policies on the control of genetically linked diseases such as sickle cell anemia, which affect the death rate of afflicted individuals. Also, effects other than death rate may be incorporated to evaluate policies on genetic diseases such as retinal blastoma.

PIP: A mathematical model to study the effectiveness of various types of preventive birth control after genetic counseling in controlling genetically linked disease is developed. It assumes a large human population with birth and death frequencies varying with age and operating under Mendelian genetics. Curves developed for varying options show that to achieve zero deaths from a genetic defect involves a high social cost and the actual benefit is not much greater than that achieved for a moderate reduction model. This option involves genetic counseling for all possible carriers of the disease, amniocentesis to detect birth defects, and freedom of choice regarding abortion of fetus. Using this moderate plan the excess of deaths due to genetic disease would be .05% in 25 years, compared with .29% with no policy and .01% under a manditory genetic counseling and birth control policy.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=977272&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Birth control and its determinants.

Kuciarska-ciesielska M.

"The article presents the results of the three family [sample] surveys [in Poland]: 'Newlyweds Survey 1985', 'Family Survey 1987'...and 'Determinants and Consequences of Divorces'....The subject of this article is: the methods of birth control which were used during married life, their moral evaluation and opinions about abortion....This article indicates the influence of an unhappy marriage and of different phases of family life on the attitudes and opinions about birth control." excerpt

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12345059&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
As it is in heaven? John Paul II listened to God and misunderstood the message.

[No authors listed]

PIP: This articles focuses on John Paul II's 1993 Veritatis Splendor, an 1798 page encyclical letter to the Church's bishops on the crisis in the Catholic Church of family limitation and the implications for the laity and society. The communication states that a flexible interpretation of theology must be abandoned. Paul VI's 19963 Humanae Vitae is reportedly affirmed. John XXIII's spiritualism and concern with conscience is ignored. This encyclical is identified as not spoken "ex cathedra" or from the throne, which would have made the pronouncement true, unarguable forever, and subject to excommunication for those disobeying. Pope John Paul II is said to be preparing another encyclical on life issues and sexuality. Reference is made in this encyclical to devices that are acceptable to use to gauge a safe period for copulation without impregnation. The devices include the rectal thermometer and the calculator for determining the infertile days in the natural cycle. Veritatis Splendor's position on fertility is viewed as an issue of loyalty to the Church and not as an honest evaluation of the moral implications of artificial birth control. This encyclical comes closer to "ex cathedra" than the Humanae Vitae, which banned the birth control pill, IUD, spermicides, hormonal implants, vasectomies, and tubal ligation. Liberal Catholic theologians are reported to have interpreted Paul VI's statement that "God illuminates from within the hearts of the faithful and invites their assent," as a validation of dissent. Pope John Paul II closes the door to dissent in this proclamation. The Church also closes the door to free will for people to decide for themselves. The Jesuits, with different notions of divine will, are described as potentially concluding that the denial of free will and individual reason for the sake of Papal supremacy must be the work of the devil himself. For good Catholics this encyclical is interpreted as potentially forcing even stronger opposition to the Vatican's teachings and continued adherence to the dictates of their own conscience. A God who gave men and women the power of his reason would not allow the Pope, however infallible, to take this away. Among nonreligious thinkers the Catholic posture is viewed as very wrong on birth control. Divisions within the Church are expected to increase.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12345270&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
A part of life. The Hindu view.

Srinivas MN.

PIP: A leading social anthropologist and founder of the Center for Advanced Studies in Sociology at Delhi University presents a Hindu view on teachings about birth and population control. The article states that Hinduism accepts the sacred scriptures of the "shruti" whom are respected authorities revealed by God to man and the "smrities" which are divine recollections of revealed truth. Shruti have greater authority, and divine works include the vedas or hymns of the Indo-Aryans to their gods. Dharma shastras are smriti and provide legal opinion on religion and social matters. Learned men interpret these scriptures for the common people. The Hindu scriptures do not mention anything contrary to birth control. Sex is an accepted way of life without prudery. Householdership is said to be one of the universal stages of life. The Kama Sutra, written by Vatsyayana in the early fourth century, and other works digress on the celebration of love. Human lovemaking is celebrated in panels appearing in the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh and in temple chariots in south India. Ayurvedic medicine and literature on erotics explains many devices for preventing conception. High Hindu castes are reported in this article as placing great emphasis on patrilineage and the need for sons to continue the male line. Adoption or limiting family size to 1-2 children is resorted to when there is no apparent male heir. This emphasis on sons contributes to female infanticide and neglect of daughters. The belief in "karma" or reincarnation was once considered to be antagonistic to the practice of contraception and birth control. Education and literacy have increased the acceptance of modern contraception. Awareness of population growth as a potential problem is prevalent among educated Hindus. The government of Mysore was the first in the world to establish a birth control clinic. The National Planning Committee of the Indian National Congress advocated family planning and birth limiting since 1935.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12345274&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Teen Choice of Inwood House.

[No authors listed]

PIP: The Teen Choice Program in New York City was described and the outcome of the program evaluation was reported. Teen Choice is a school based sex education and pregnancy prevention program run by trained social workers. The aim is to provide information, counseling, and referrals on a range of issues relating to sexuality. The program is elective and meets during a regularly scheduled gym period for one or two semesters from the 7th to the 12th grades. There are single sex and coeducational classes. The program aim is to change attitudes toward birth control, to change risky sexual behavior, such as unprotected coitus, to offer accurate knowledge about contraception, and to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Abstinence is encouraged, but for those sexually experienced, there is attention to responsible and reliable use of contraception. Program methods include small group discussion, individual counseling, and classroom discussion. Topics of discussion range from sexuality issues and birth control to values clarification and peer pressure. Small groups may discuss human sexual growth, relationship formation, family life, responsibility to self and others, consequences of teenage pregnancy, and social and cultural peer pressures. Girls are encouraged to assume more assertive and less reactive roles. Communication skills are reinforced in respectful exchanges of personal views and questions. Differentiating facts and issues is a primary focus. A question about when an individual first had sex would be redirected to asking about the appropriate age to first have sex. Respect for privacy helps to build students confidence in the program. A longitudinal evaluation conducted between 1984 and 1987 found that the program was effective in reaching and recruiting high risk adolescents. Students left the program with increased knowledge about contraception, more mature and responsible attitudes about the use of birth control, and reduced frequency of unprotected coitus. Boys were found to take more responsibility for birth control. Sexually active youth were found to have reduced reports of never having used contraception. An Inwood House descriptive evaluation found the mandates were being fulfilled. A program impact evaluation is pending.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12345545&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
Teens talk about sex: adolescent sexuality in the 90's. A survey of high school students.

[No authors listed]

PIP: The findings of an April 1994 national telephone survey of 503 high school students (252 males and 251 females) conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide were summarized. Although only 12% felt pressure to have sex with their peers and 78% reported having sex because they wanted to, over 50% of sexually active respondents also reported wishing they had waited. 62% of girls and 48% of boys wished they had waited until they were older before having their first sexual intercourse. Over 33% of respondents reported sexual activity. 25% had had oral sex and 4% had experienced anal sex. Only 8% reported no sexual experience whatsoever. More than 75% reported sexual activities such as deep kissing and petting. 75% indicated use of birth control always or most of the time. 80% used condoms all or most of the time. 57% used condoms to prevent AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases. 59% always used condoms to prevent AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases. 59% always used birth control. Those sexually active and not always using birth control indicated that the reason was unavailability of contraceptives at the time. 66% supported condom distribution in the schools. Age at first intercourse among sexually active youth averaged just under 15 years. 40% had their first experience at 14 years of age or younger. 2.7% was the average number of sexual partners among all sexually active youth. 21% had had 4 or more partners. 9 out of 10 adolescents with sexual experience found that sex was pleasurable. 81% of boys and 59% of girls agreed that sex was a pleasurable experience. 75% agreed to feeling good about sex education classes. 58% had classes in junior high school; 56% reported high school classes. Only 5% had sex education every year in school. The focus of most programs was on AIDS, abstinence, and contraception. 68% of girls and only 48% of boys felt comfortable talking with their parents about sex. 71% of girls and 45% of boys agreed that their last sexual experience was related to "being in love."

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12345599&dopt=Abstract birth control



birth control
The truth about oral contraceptives, heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

[No authors listed]

PIP: Smoking is dangerous for all women, regardless of the method of contraception used. Women who smoke and take the oral contraceptive pill should stop smoking, since the combined effect of smoking and oral contraception may increase a woman's risk of heart attack compared to smoking only. Since women under age 35 who smoke and use the pill are at greater risk of death from pregnancy and childbirth than from using the pill, smoking and not oral pill use should be eliminated from their lives in the interest of practicing a safe and highly effective mode of birth control. Pill use is definitely not recommended for women aged 35 and older who smoke. Many programs exist to help one stop smoking. Stopping smoking is very important to reduce one's risk of stroke whether or not the pill is being used. Exactly how much the pill may or may not increase a woman's risk of getting a blood clot is controversial, although blood clots among otherwise healthy pill users who do not smoke are rare. In addition to being a very safe method of birth control which is highly effective when taken correctly and consistently, birth control pill use protects women against ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, painful or irregular periods, breast cysts, iron deficiency anemia, ectopic or tubal pregnancy, and infections of the fallopian tube requiring hospitalization. Healthy, nonsmoking women can safely take the pill right up until menopause.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12346301&dopt=Abstract birth control